The industry-leading warranty of five years/130,000km, two years longer than any other car company offers across its range, applies to all Excels, Lantra sedans, Lantra Sportswagons, Coupes and Sonatas sold from 27" December, 1999.

Hyundai’s managing director Mr Doug Croker said the longer warranty will send a clear signal of confidence to the car-buying public.

"More than any other feature, the five-year warranty demonstrates Hyundai’s faith in the Iong-term reliability and durability of its cars," Mr Croker said.

"Once again, Hyundai is taking the lead in the Australian car industry - a position that will help us increase sales. We are the only car company with the confidence to offer a five-year warranty across our entire range.

"We were the first mass-market carmaker to introduce a three-year warranty, and we made ‘drive-away, no more to pay' a household phrase.

"The five year 130,000km warranty will further enhance the resale value of the whole Hyundai range of vehicles, from Excel to Sonata."

Mr Croker said he expected the new warranty to make 1999 a Happy New Year for customers, and Hyundai would continue with its aggressive value for money offers.

"The Excel, which continues to se|| from $13,990 drive-away with free airconditioning, is Australia’s best-selling four-cylinder car, with sales up 18.6 per cent so far this year to almost 42,000. Its nearest rival is the Toyota Corolla with just 22,000 sales.

Hyundai’s Lantra Sportswagon is the country’s most popular four-cylinder wagon and the Coupe is one of the most sought-after sports cars.